Toys For Toddler Drawing

The Scribble Stage: Easy Ways to Keep Those Scribbles Contained

Before you know it, your lil one grabs a crayon and is scribbling away. The scribbling stage hits kids right around 2 years of age and focuses on big, circular coloring movements. It is a big exploration of your lil one's fine motor skills. But don't worry, those big marks and lines are your tot's way of expressing herself and will morph into more representational drawings in just a few short years. While your tot is busy grabbing at just about anything she can reach to use for scribbling, make sure those marks stay exactly where you want them with a few items that will encourage your lil one's development and keep those scribbles contained.

Fisher-Price Doodle Pro Classic ($24)

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Magnetic drawing boards are perfect for little scribblers because the tool doesn't make marks on anything other than the handy magnetic board. Perfect for taking in the car or for entertaining your tot while eating out, a small magnetic board is also a great tool for introducing shapes, letters, and numbers as your lil one matures.

Lipper International Child's Chalkboard Desk Set ($110)

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Create a designated drawing spot so your tot knows where to go when she wants to get busy scribbling. This compact chalkboard desk has a top that flips so when your little scribbler isn't interested in making lots of chalk lines, she can use the wooden side for other activities.

Melissa & Doug Jumbo Crayons ($17)

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Your little one has little hands, making holding small crayons a bit of a challenge. These triangular crayons fit perfectly into beginning scribblers' hands, making it easier for them to draw lots of colorful looping lines. And don't worry about how your tot is grasping her crayons; at this stage it's all about those scribbles and not her pencil hold. Right now she's just excited that she can grab those crayons and make marks. As she develops she'll adjust her grasp to make focused creations.

KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel ($165)

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Toddlers are busy and often aren't in one spot for very long. Picking up an easel offers your lil one the opportunity to stand and scribble, which uses the whole body, encouraging gross motor skills. Instead of offering paint, pop crayons or markers in the paint cup containers. Or take the easel outdoors and let your scribbler explore painting without concern of the mess. And an easel grows with your child, perfect for use when she's older and ready for controlled painting and drawing.

FolkArt Chalkboard Paint 8 Ounces ($9)

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If you have a small space and are looking for a creative way to create a spot just for your little scribbler, paint the bottom half of a door, a lower kitchen cabinet, or a wall in your toddler's room with chalkboard paint. You can pick some up at your local home store or easily make your own. Keep a plastic container of colorful chalk nearby for when your little one gets inspired to scribble. And what's awesome about scribbling with chalk is that it doesn't stain and easily wipes from the chalkboard for creating over and over.

Homemade Finger Paint

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Finger paint is a great way to develop your lil one's fine motor skills and encourage her scribbling. She can move her fingers around the paper, making lines in a different way than when she uses mark-making tools. Check out this fun recipe for homemade edible finger paint! Just be prepared for a mess with smocks and wet-wipes close by.

12-Pack Washable Markers ($8)

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Washable markers are a must for any new little scribbler. Picking up a set ensures when your lil decides to explore scribbling on her shirt — or your couch — that things will easily wash away. Even as your toddler matures, remember to keep an eye on your little one whenever wielding markers.

Alex My First Scribble ($11)

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Invest in several scribble notebooks to have handy when the need to scribble strikes. Keep one in your bag, toss one in the car, and have a few around the house so your tot learns that scribbling is tons of fun when done on paper.